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Is The PS2 Your Next DVD Player?
Si V reader writes "In the Sony PlayStation2 as a DVD Player,
SE tells how to get a DVD system when you buy a PS2. They think that the DVD functionality of the PS2 is the one brilliant move Sony made in this otherwise unimpressive launch. In Japan I heard that most of the purchases were because people wanted a cheap full featured DVD." The article discusses the elitism in every industry (but specifically in home audio) and talks about the practical problems (controlling your DVD player with a remote on a wire?) to video/audio quality compared with a more expensive DVD player.
Guess what I dont want the PS2, The only thing i will use it for is a dvd, I play all my games on PC. I had a PS1 which I got as a gift, but the games i loved were on PC so the PS1 was a paper weight. Id rather get a Really good DVD player than a PS2
If we refuse to be flexible, we are in effect opting out of the game of life. The world moves on without us.
I've got a PS2, and the DVD playback works great, except that I can't figure out how to change the aspect ratio =P Everything is stretched vertically. Anybody know how to change this? On my computer's DVD decoder (Creative DXR2) it's an option in the menu, but I can't find anything in the PS2's menus...
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it is a game machine, not a DVD player, stop hyping it as such, that is all I am saying.
I personally believe that it is a known fact that up-in-coming systems are far superior to the power that the PS2 has. Sony is trying to make a point of hyping everything EXCEPT what the damn thing is supposed to do in an attempt to attract as much market as possible before people wait.
Yes, that is how it should work, but I just find it to be a ridiculous scheme.
O P E N___S O U R C E___H U M O R
great comedy company.
In spite of the various other complaints I've heard about the PS2, I've got to say that I think it's the best console on the market. In addition to the DVD thing, they've got better games (or will, at least) than Nintendo et al. are likely to come up with any time soon.
Got Rhinos?
- A.P.
--
* CmdrTaco is an idiot.
"Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
I put forth a solution to the PS/2 vs PS2 debate.
[A] Sony in much the same way that they rebranded the PlayStation1-PSone could 'rebrand' the PS2 to wait for it...
PStwo
[B] Or...the insane IBM lovers relieving themselves over ibm beating sony on the whole PS2 acronym debate should really get a stronger grip on their wildly tangible imagination's (G.A.L.)
either way its an inherently stupid thing to raise in light of those two ports at the back of your computer above the USB
do you guys actually like the old-skool IBM corp.?! oh and sony nicked their PStwo design from cray!. There thats'll get me flamebait
This UID is 7651 digits too high to subjectively infer IQ from.
The X-Box.
Sorry, it hasn't been launched yet!
Is this a rhetorical question?
I had an opportunity this weekend to perform a similiar test using my Sony WEGA XBR and a Playstation 2. I was unimpressed by the playback quality when compared to my reference player (also a Sony).
:)
My friends and I could all see and hear differences using the Matrix and Toy Story 2. There was a couple of spots in the Matrix where it almost seemed liked the player couldn't 'keep up'. Sounds weird but I don't know how else to explain it.
Though I must say we had a blast playing those games... that is an impressive game machine and will be really interesting to play in a year or so when they nail down how to program for it
kc.
kc.
"You'll have to speak up, I'm wearing a towel." - Homer J. Simpson
http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20001104& mode=classic
Go buy the Component cable for $10. It just doesn't come with one since not many people will use it.
Replace Fantavision with SSX
:)
You could be right - but I have 1080 already. I'll need persuading before I buy yet another snowboarding game. I don't own any version of Missile Command... maybe it's time I did
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The PS2 is does NOT support progressive scan YET. Sony intends to add prograssive scan output sometime next year...
That said, I'm gonna wait a while. Beside the current shortage-induced inflation of PS2 prices, Indrema offers some of the most appealing vapors that's ever wafted in my direction: DVD, DVR, web browsing with an LAN connection to my home gateway for the price of a PS2.
If Indrema has more than an ice cube's chance in hell, those non-game features why. If it materializes in a timely manner and enough people buy it for DVD, DVR, web (and free games), the market will be too large for non-free developers to ignore and maybe, just maybe, Indrema will be able to make some money and stay in business.
What's a sig?
Yes, but can you get _good_ DVD players that ALSO play bleeding-edge games? The selling point is not only the dvd player, but the actual gaming system.. Let us not forget this.
How about "Unimpressive Logistics"? You've got to admit, the quantities available are somewhat... disapointing.
Combined with the impressive launch, it makes it even more sad that you can't get one!
-- IANAEG - I am not an elder god.
Does the PS2 DVD player offer a 16x9 enhanced mode for widescreen/widescreen ready TVs?
Dreamcast had wicked games straight away. It had Soul Calibur, still the best fighting game I have ever played. Soul Blade was good on the PSX, but SC is much better. It looks incredible, and plays so fast. Crazy Taxi, another wicked game was also out from the beginning.
Of course, this is neither here nor there. Im sure the psx2 will have good games. I wont be buying anything though, DC or PSX2. (even with DVD's) -
Dont wont no DVD player, ohh no.
Well, the reason I got mine is because 1) I lost my original "modded" PSX. I have a ton of games that the PS2 will still play, and in some cases make look better (Final Fantasy IX, anyone? I can't wait for it!). I was gonna buy a new PSone and a seperate DVD player, but I saw that the PS2 had a DVD player and I *hate* watching movies on my PC. One unit, two functions. 2) harddrive port, USB, killer 128 bit architecture.. Someone's gonna port Linux to the thing and it'll make one *hell* of a desktop machine. This could become strategic in the Linux community's bid for more domination. If the only OS available for the PS2 is Linux, well, you just got yourselves a nice, captive audience to prove yourself to. And once they run Linux on their PS2, they may even switch to Linux for their PC. Isn't this what the Linux community wants? Oh, and that would make it one unit, 3 functions.. :)
Just something to chew on..
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
On the other hand, here's a game system that's so hyped it's still nearly impossible to buy. So it must be good. The "great unwashed" will buy it in droves.
But predicting that people will buy PS2s to get a cheap DVD player is looking at it backwards. Five years from now, we'll look back and it will be undoubtable that the PS2 was the single thing most responsible for legitimizing the DVD format and having it pass VHS in popularity.
If you recall, the first games for the [Insert any console system here] sucked. It takes a while for the programmers to fully utilize all that the console has to offer. Dreamcast has had over a year now, so it's games-programmers are becoming veterans with the system. So, if the graphics only 'looked no better' than your dreamcast, then wait a year. The PS2 graphics will blow Dreamcast away.
I bought it as a DVD player. I have(had) a PSone with games that just happen to work with the PS2. Bugger off.
If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
All I know is I saw a crapload more Dreamcast ads around its launch than I did PS2 garbage. I saw a grand total of ONE (1) commercial for PS2, and I watch a bit of TV. Dreamcast was everywhere for its launch, AND the system was actually available!
Want a DVD player? Buy a DVD player. Save yourself for Nintendo's Gamecube if you like games.
Let me try out a little syllogism on you.
DVD players play DVD's.
Playstation 2's play DVD's.
Playstation 2 is a DVD player. Decent DVD player+excellent console=$300 well spent.
The remote control problem will sort itself out presently.
Also note that Sony didn't write the article. Sony says that the PS2 plays DVD's (which it does) and that this is a useful feature (which it is). It's not like they're promising that it will "Give you good feeling" like Chinpoko-mon. (If you haven't seen that episode of South Park, you're really missing out).
Of course if I have to wait till the end of the 21st century for augmented reality and neural interfaces like the PS9, I'm going to be bent.
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
are available for just about every console system out there. If there isn't one for the PS2 yet, I predict that it won't take very long before one is made.
It may look like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away.
--Scott Adams
I didn't object at all to Sharky explaining in his article that it was aimed at a different end of the market to who would be an audiophile. But as an audiophile myself, I do have an objection to being called a snob or elitest scum. A skiier who has the ability to ski down Everest, buys a pair of $5000 skis. Does this make them a ski snob? A hobby chef spends $150 on a nice carving knife, does this make them a cooking snob? I think not. They merely have an appreciation for the finer elements of their hobbies. I'm blessed with nearly perfect hearing. I'm blessed with the ability to find things in music that most people miss. I listen to music as an escape from the world, as an alternative to drugs or whatever your vice maybe. I merely enjoy the finer elements of a good sound system. And seeing friends leap up from their chairs as Trinity hits the glass window in the Matrix never gets boring :)
How many people in region 1 really care about playing other region DVDs? European prices are higher. The small minority of region 1 customers who really feel they'll come across other region DVDs should go get an all-region player, but for the VAST MAJORITY in region 1, a region 1 player will do. How many people currently in region 1 go "Oh damn, I really want to play this PAL VHS tape I have lying around..."
But..but.. I like evil :(
Sharky's review was a great editorial that really pinpointed the intended market for PS2, but I think they (and everyone else) make too big a deal about the lack of an IR remote.
I've got a moderately high-end home theatre setup with a standalone DVD player and kickass programmable universal remote. Thing is, after you press PLAY there's not much need for the remote until the movie is over. If you've got to pause it when you hit the bathroom, would it be so hard to make a stop at the wired controller on the way?
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What I should have said was nothing.
Sorry, but I'm a home theater buff, and I hate to tell you, but $650 will get you EITHER a good DVD player OR a keeler amp. I, personally, would put the money on a good amp ( good brand name like Onkyo, Denon, or even the Sony ES series ). A good DVD player gives you some great features, but if you don't have the equipment to harness this greatness, what's the point. Start with your sound and picture, THEN work on the extras.
Just my $.02
--Chemguru
THINK BEFORE YOU BUY SONY PRODUCTS I wouldn't ever say 'don't', cos I'm not like that and well sony make some really nice stuff, (vaio's...etc) but their attitude more and more is towards trying to tie people into buying multiple sony products over other makes through proprietry integration. I'm scared of sony because they have no real competition in alot of their markets, people will buy sony just because its ...., sony are becoming an electronics M$.
Sony is so big that while one department embraces open source and linux for intelligent devices the other stuffs MSPocketExplorer on their mobile phones.
And memory sticks just screw Compact Flash - the standards there already so why 'reinvent it' (I betcha have to pay royalties if you wanna produce your own memory stick!)
Oh and theres at least 3 types of memory stick now - hows that for integration...
be different...think you I really want this before you fall for sony's marketing sleight of hand.
"Fuck 'em if they ccan't take a Joke" -J.R.B.D.
This UID is 7651 digits too high to subjectively infer IQ from.
I can still remember the first video recorder my dad bought (when I was five), it had a remote on a wire. It was great fun to play with while watching tv (and when you're a bit overactive I guess)...
I'm sure that, just as CD players are everywhere now--there must be at least a dozen in my home--DVD players will be too.
Every computer, laptop, and perhaps even car drive (to play movie audio and DVD-Audio) will be DVD compatible when the chipsets and pickup assembly becomes commonplace
I don't know how many folk will use a PS2 for their primary DVD player. You want a simple little box that sits with the rest of your stereo equipment and has simple controls.
It may make it as the primary DVD player for the kids, though.
--- Speaking only for myself,
Wood Shavings!
Wood Shavings!
- Godai
Luckily, my dad works for Toys R Us, and I had absolutly no problem securing my own PS2 :) but as for the dvd playback quality, i have no problems with it. and if you don't have a hot shit top-of-the-line tv, you won't either.
#airyk
It's wireless...
-- A hundred thousand lemmings can't be wrong!
I own a PS2 and I bought one of the wireless remotes (sucker)I'm not impressed by the operability of the DVD on PS2. It's a clunky little interface and not all the buttons are labled correct for all the movies. And the remote is really just a wireless controller that has all the buttons mixed up.
But on the other hand I bought it as a gaming system (for $300 and if you paid more then your a bigger sucker than me for buying that remote.) It does kick ass for games and if you deny that then you either got bamboozled into buying a Dreamcast or need to wake up and smell the reality that is NHL 2001.
Are you lonely? Hate having to make decisons? Meetings, the practical alternitive to work.
sorry, I am a college student. I have a computer, and a DVD player, I don't need a PlayStation to be a DVD player. I need a PS2 to be a PS2. They shouldn't be hyping it as a DVD player is all I am saying.
Oh great now I need to teach my cat how to fetch! Took him weeks to compile his first Kernel so I imagine I can have him ready before the PS2 hits Canada. :P
You missed the point. Why are people going to bother buying a $200 DVD player when their VCR works just fine (and all of the movies still come out on VHS)? However, if they buy a PS2 they might start looking at those couple of shelves of DVDs at BallBuster. Really, for most people, there is no reason to buy a DVD player yet, since their VCR works fine (and the DVD player doesn't let them time-shift (a term they don't even know)), but the PS2 is super keen an nifty, and omygosh, it can play DVDs too!
I read the internet for the articles.
Thanks all the same, but I'll be sticking with my Apex 600A. I prefer players with ways around the MPAA's unethical practices.
That said, I might look into this for games, when and if Square goes for the PS2. I do think DVD is a better format for games than the GD-ROM's we get with the Dreamcast and GameCube (forget the proprietariness; it's all about capacity).
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have you seen the prices being asked for PS/2 machines on e-bay? i wouldn't call them cheap :)
I doubt I'll be using my IBM Model 80 PS/2 for DVDs.
For starters, it's a 386.
For seconds, it doesn't even have a CD-ROM let alone a DVD drive (the prospect of adding more weight to this beast is... unwelcome).
And finally, the thought of having to move this hulk out of my study, downstairs to the lounge, frankly fills me (and my back) with dread. Anything with a bright yellow sticker saying "CAUTION! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT THIS GREAT BIG FSKING HUMP OF METAL ON YOUR OWN, MATEY, YOU'LL REGRET IT REAL SOON" (anyone remember the exact words?) is something that, like cast iron cooking ranges, should be put in place FIRST and the building constructed around it AFTERWARDS.
More and more on the great beasts.
(mind you, it plays Doom like a bastard so I can see how people could confuse it with a console)
--
Andrew Oakley - www.aoakley.com
My motto: RIGHT TOOL FOR THE RIGHT JOB.
In case you havnt noticed theres about 5-6 brands of wireless remotes for the ps2, at least there is at my local wal-mart. from around 9$ to 30$, but of course you have to ask how well they work but still, has to be better then a wire from your ps2 to your couch
Yeah, but if they ran a Red Hat story, then we'd just get all the "/. is not Linux-specific" assholes posting...and if it was BSD, then all the "WTF is a BSD story doing here" assholes would start posting...
*sigh* everyone's a critic
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
NO.
Note:
PSX2 == Sony
PS/2 == IBM
PS2 != ( Sony && IBM )
Reminds me of what I did when N64 came out. I bought one, played with it for weeks. Got bored with it, and sold it to someone for the same price I had bought it for.
Got to play with a new toy for free.
but PC games I want to play are still being developed, and I like to tweak my PC as much as possible so I get what I want from PC's. I cant tweak the operating system, add memmory, install a bigger hardrive faster CPU etc on a playstation2 making it boring for me, its notjust the game for me. Hell I am thinking of building a PC for my Entertainment sysetem with a no region code dvd player and all the other goodies I can think of, have a virtual desk top so I can control it from any other pc in the house and have fun, hmm time to get to work
If we refuse to be flexible, we are in effect opting out of the game of life. The world moves on without us.
You have a $120 DVD player, you have a $1250 computer that has more power than the PS2, and therefore see no point to this story or any point in the PS2.
Can I come over and watch Monty Python DVDs and play some games? I thought not. Bugger off; you're not the only Slashdot reader, you know.
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
Sounds like Slashdot to me.
- A.P.
--
* CmdrTaco is an idiot.
"Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
Come back in 6 months and tell me if the PS2 is selling for $5,000.
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
is that a standard cable is fine for video games, but if you want really good video, you want to buy a premium cable, such as a Monster cable. Those things get expensive at the lengths you are probably talking about.
Yes, I'm in the snob (but not elitist) category. My DVD is an $800 model and I probably have over $600 in premium CABLES for my home A/V system. But they do make a difference. Get 'em at Best Buy (or local equiv) and take them back if you don't see an improvement.
One thing that I do find adventageous about using the PS/2 as a DVD player is the controller as the remote. The remote for my DVD player died, and because of how the DVD's are programmed, an awful lot of them can't be played by simply plugging in the disc and hitting the Play button. It really ticked me off last night as I bought American Beauty over the weekend and I can't watch it until my new remote comes in.
But at the same time I can't really work with console game systems as I had five operations on my right thumb and I just can't handle the controls.
--
When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
Every time I go into my Blockbuster, the DVD section seems to grow by another shelf section (short shelves). It has gone from two sections a year ago to three rows front and back as of last week.
I have been told they are already making plans to eliminate a good chunk of the "Blockbuster Favorites" area in favor of increased spaced for DVD movies and console games.
-- nolesrule
*sarcasm alert*
Non-Free Food, of course!
Don't eat any food that you do not have Free access to. This includes preparation of ingredients, a detailed list of ingredients, a detailed recipe, and the freedom to distribute your own version with or without a fee.
Citizens, unite! Do not eat another KFC chicken leg or drink another Coca-Cola! Boycot non-Free foods!
Oh, and of course the distribution of non-Free music. Please do not use gnapster as it is software used to connect to a non-Free network, used to distribute mostly non-Free music in a non-Free format. Please distribute only Free music encoded in Ogg Vorbis format using Freenet.
;)
Stating on Slashdot that I like cheese since 1997.
I have about 3 dozen DVDs, and there have only been a few times where the compression has been noticeable. There were a couple HORRIBLE scenes in the X-Files season 1 collection, especially with scenes with high contrasts. 99% of the problems I've seen have been with large areas of darkness. Most of my DVDs have dealt with it very well; some haven't. These kinds of scenes are brief, however, and I quickly get over the trauma and move on.
The guy who has a film setup in his home theatre is either moderately wealthy or moderately insane.
For the "full theatre experience," I go to the theatre.
LOL... why on earth was I moderated down for that?
Geez... som people really shouldn't be allowed to moderate...
Bjarne
Mines due for delivery Dec/Jan! brillant black, quattro, 180 coupe but thinking of doing the goapr or another depending on what it feels like when I get it as I've only driven the 225. Seems like alot of programmers out there have purchased this car. To get more back on topic, Just purchase the TT it comes with a rather nice audio system and I dont think you'll miss the ps2 dvd player. :)
Has anyone seen the second round of playstation 2 available anywhere yet? They were supposed to be shipping 10,000 more units every week, but I haven't seen any websites update their stocks since the first shipment.
Not to mention that that particular commercial (the PS9) is one of the most ill-concieved ever.
1.) In 75 years, they only go through seven Playstation?
2.) Wow, the PS9 does all kinds of nifty (and biologically dangerous) stuff! Uh, so what's the PS2 do?
Do you remember in high school, how when you went to a party that had beer...you were stoked just to get it? It didnt matter that it was cheap swill, a step above sheep urine, it was beer and you didnt know better, and you were happy. What happened? Soon you got to college and someone introduces you to a green bottle import and you never looked back. The point is, your level of exposure influienced your preference. This is the way things are with the PS2. The masses of us are still in this giddy "Keystone" drinkin phase when it comes to DVD technology. HDTV is not the standard and less then 10% of us could give a rats ass about the differences between DVD technologies, because we are still using standard televisions. But it seems the few snobby, "Heine" drinkin, tech freaks with money to wipe their ass with, arent content to just sit in front of their $12k entertainment center and enjoy. They feel it their duty as superior visual beings to come throwin out specs that amount to fractions of line resolution in difference and are totally useless to the average consumer. ITs like someone with a Mercedes pulling up next to a Neon and getting out and explaining why his machine is functionally better then the Dodge. Let it go man! The PS2's DVD player works fine! My simpleton senses notice no difference between it and my previous DVD player , on a 32" tv. I find its performance well worth the $300 I paid, and it plays games to boot! Maybe there is something to be said for not "adjusting your palette" and stickin with the Coors and Neons. Both get you where youre going ;)
DVD really needs to reach critical mass, I would truly hate to find that not enough people have bought players and disks for the format to receive continued support (now I don't think that is actually going to happen...)
But I have been fearing the day that DVD goes mainstream for some time. At the moment, a large proportion of the DVD buying audience are audio and videophiles, and film-lovers. We won't buy a disk if it doesn't have great extras. We won't buy a disk if it only has a 4:3 pan&scan image - we want cinematic widescreen. At the moment, the publishers have to make the effort to produce high quality disks to suceed.
But when everyone and their dog has a DVD player, will they publishers still put in the effort? My girlfriend doesn't understand why I rate DVD over VHS, and when she looks at films in the shop, she would rather have the 4:3, how can we stop this insanity? People are just used to the shape of their TV set, and seem to think they are missing out if the top and bottom of the screen are black. Look at VHS in the shops, how many films come out in widescreen? Its the few, and you have to wait for the 'special edition'.
Anyone out there share my paranoia? Someone please convince me this isn't going to happen.
The reason I won't use the PS2 as a DVD player is that it:
a) is restricted to DVD region 1.
b) uses Macrovision to prevent me from using my VCR to switch between it and my Sega Dreamcast.
In addition, licensing fees from the PS2 go to Sony and the MPAA, who are waging a war against free speech and the Constitution every day.
Enough said.
--
What happens when you outlaw guns
A PS2 at RRP in the UK costs £299. You may have trouble getting one, and even if you do, IMHO there is only one interesting game at launch (Fantavision). The DVD player will be locked to Region 2, and there is no known software hack (there might be a hardware hack).
While the Dreamcast doesn't have a built in DVD player, Gem (Dreamcast's UK distributors) are currently pushing a bundle deal where you get a Dreamcast and a rather nice Encore DVD player together for £300. The Encore DVD player has DTS digital output, a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, and it's multi-region out of the box. You'll also be able to play Dreamcast games on one TV while playing DVDs on another. Oh, and there are dozens of really good Dreamcast games.
The bundle is available in most UK Dreamcast outlets, including places like HMV and Virgin, and online outlets too.
Plug over. I do not represent Sega, I just really like my Dreamcast. Nothing against Sony -- I'll certainly buy a PS2 when the price drops a little and the 2nd generation games start to trickle through.
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Sony would be wise to release an addon that allows my Sony remote to run the unit.
My system includes the STR-DE845 (receiver), which comes with a two-way programmable remote. Maybe not the ideal situation, but I could buy one of the wireless remotes and then program my controller to send the same signals. Of course, I already have a Sony DVD player and none of the PS2 games look all that great, so I'll hold off until spring and maybe buy it when FFX comes out...
My other
I already complained about this before:
I already have a $120 DVD player. I have a $1250 computer that has tons more power than the PS2, and mine will do more than play games..
I like consoles and all, but for all the hype why bother? I see everyone's point that a DVD player is wonderful, but why make it out to be such a big asset? It is a god damn game machine, not a DVD player, don't hype it to be what it isn't.
You'll be lucky. Last I heard there were 220,000 pre orders and 70,000 units heading to our shores. And yes, every one of those 220,000 believes they are getting one on the release date.
The Slashdot Paradox: "100% Overrated"
At least he had the balls to post without the AC nomenclature.
They've released 1 system?
Quake 3 is currently available for the Dreamcast! So you CAN Frag away in your home theatre or whatever.
The DVD feature on the system is great but alot of feedback that I gotten from other DVD owners is that the Playstation 2 doesn't do as good of a job as the other DVDs players out there. Personally I find the various options and tools you choose to configure the settings badly laid out but as for the quality of picture and sound quality I don't notice too much difference. For me it wasn't the DVD that made me want to get one. The mix of the backward compatabilty and the new system itself definately made my mind. Hell you can use your old Dual Shock controllers on it and the old memory cards as well. (at least for the psx games) the dvd feature was just gravy on top of the total package.
"I am a kernel in the linux army"
I wouldn't call it overkill. It's a simple matter of getting the "coolest thing" to do the job. I've done that myself.
BTW, an M249 is not a heavy machinegun, but a squad automatic weapon, aka. a light machine gun. Doesn't use a 500 round belt either. But a 200 round belt or a 30 round magazine from an m-16 series of weapons.
-- What's this '-r *' file doing here? -- Oh well, a simple 'rm' should do the trick.
Most DVD players can Play VCD's. My Apex 600 has no problem with them. They fact that PS2 isn't VCD compatible kinda dilutes it's claim has a mid-high end player. When $150 player out performs a $400 player, you gotta wonder....
Mad Scientists with too much time on thier hands
The first, last, and only tech news site on the net
The argument is kinda silly. Sure the PS2 will bring more DVD technology into the consumer market.
The problem is that consumers have a very slim chance of getting one anytime soon.
Until that changes, A DVD player in a playstation is like putting a dress on a pig.
I have a PS2 - I've noticed from personal experience that the output quality (both sound and video) is as good as or a bit better than my old (mid-range) DVD player. That combined with DTS output, component output, and the support for progressive scan output in the future, is a pretty nice set of features.
However, the area where the PS2 lacks is in the area of control. It has only one speed of FF forward and back (apperas to be 2x - I'll miss the 30x from my last player!), and I've read that it has only slo-mo forward and not backwards (again, with only one speed).
Also, even with the wireless remote you are missing a few easy things. To get to a title or DVD menu, you have to go through an on-screen PS2 menu and select the menu choice from there. Same thing for numbers, you get the on-screen menu and enter numbers through that screen. There's not really a way around that either - all the remotes can really do is emulate the buttons on the controls, which have the same limitations.
For now I'm giving away my old DVD player to family, but at some point I might have to buy another DVD player. It makes a great first DVD player, but probably for anyone really serious about DVD's they'll eventually want a dedicated player.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Right, but still, you can set up the tripod and have one of your buddies link belts together to effectively give you 500 rounds.
"Ancillary does not mean you get to rule the world." --U.S. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards, speaking to the FCC's lawyer
I suppose it's also overkill to be playing older games on PIIIs/K7s? Or buying SUVs simply to drive around in the subburbs? Or watching classic B&W movies on color televisions?
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. -Friedrich Nietzsche
I have compared the PS2 DVD output quality against $600-800 models and there's simply no discernable differences. Anyway I look at it, I saved money. Video is sharp, clean, no artifacts, very good contrasts, no blocking in smooth shaded areas.
Audio is just as good using stereo , DTS, Dolby and 5.1.
I'm also using an old wireless controller made for the original PS and that works fine, so no wire needed.
Games: Yeah, most games suck and that was expected. Still, SSX, Tekken Tag and Dead or Alive 2 rock. Remeber that most games coming out right now are direct ports, they're barely using the extra hardware capabilities the PS2 has.
Backwards-Compatibility: All of my old games work fine and most look better than ever with texture smoothing. FF7 sometimes crashes with high disc speed, but that's it.
Hype: A lot of people are nit-picking at Sony for hyping the PS2 a lot. I don't agree; all the hoopla about the PS2 came from resellers, not from Sony. Has anyone seen an ad for the system actually from Sony? I haven't.
I'm happy. So should you be.
As someone who has yet to buy a DVD player, and has a small interest in console gaming, my major interest in this article whether or not the PS2 can stand up to other cheap DVD players. If I can buy a DVD player of equal quality that also happenes to play Playstation games, in my eyes, that would be a good move. I'm looking at it from a DVD first, game box second perspective. I'm sure I am a monority, but buying a DVD player could introduce me to console gaming, and the playstation. If Sony factored considered this in the inclusion of DVD functionality, they may be just as smart as the article claims.
Figure it this way...
;) ) - but the people who want BOTH are getting a treat - a cheap DVD player and a decent gaming rig.
;) )
Every new console starts out at $199.99 (mightaswell say $200)
The PS2 starts out at $299.99 (mightaswell say $300)
The extra $100 is for the DVD player. Compare it to DVD players at $100 and it's not too bad a deal. It's not going to be the best player on the market. Sony would screw themselves over if they did that (they make a couple high-end DVD players themselves).
This was marketed at LOW-END customers - ones who want a game system, and also might want a DVD player. The people who are buying it just for the DVD player are a little nuts (if all they wanted was a DVD player they could do much better with a standalone for the $$$) and many of the people who are just buying it for the game system aren't going to use the dvd player part much (if at all - I fall into this category myself - I have a standalone player that does just fine - I'd rather save the PS2's motor for games
The fact it'll replace an old PS1 and still play the old games is a nice touch, IMHO - I didn't have a free port on my switchbox for another system (4 port switch - cable/vcr on part 1, DVD on port 2, PSX on port 3, DC on port 4) so I just disconnected the old PSX, gave it to my little nephew, and hooked the ps2 up in it's place. The texture smoothing is nice on some games (Vagrant Story and Parasite Eve 2 in particular) and the CD speed increase works quite well on most games (Squaresoft games don't like it though).
All in all, a nice little upgrade to my PS1, the ability to play the new PS2 games (still waiting for MGS2 and a decent RPG - Summoner is holding me over, but there's really nothing special about it but the storyline), and a backup DVD player (when we move it'll take a while to unpack the whole entertainment system - the PS2's dvd player may get some use then, or it may not - we may be too busy with FF9
For someone without a PSX or a DVD player, it opens up a LOT of stuff for them, and for $300 it's not too bad for all it can do. Of course in a year the price will drop to $250 (the console drops to $150, the DVD stays the same) and in 2 years down to $200 (console to $100, DVD stays the same again)...
VCDs you buy are pretty much limited to Hong Kong movies, anime and cheap porn. But those of you who haven't run Windows in a while may be surprised to know that even the freebie video editing software that comes with DV camcorders and firewire cards can burn VCDs. It's quickly becoming a popular way to distribute home movies.
Shoot digital footage of the kid, edit it on your PC, and burn a couple of VCDs for the grandparents. It's easier than writing out to videotape.
Anyway, I have one of Sony's learning remotes. I'm getting the Saitek (because of the pass-through) and will program my remote to use it. Then, I throw the goddamned ugly Saitek remote in a drawer and never look at it again. Problem solved.
Of course, then there's the obvious problem of Sony not coming out with a first-party remote. Slackers.
I'm got my PS2 to primarily function as a second DVD player, and to consolidate space by getting rid of my PSX. Now my main DVD player can be moved to the bedroom, so the wife can watch movies while I play SSX. Would you beleive that she actually approved of this plan? I'm such a great husband.
"Honey ... I want to spend $300 on a game machine so that you can have a DVD player inthe bedroom."
"Ok, dear."
Heh ...
If you recall, the first games for the [Insert any console system here] sucked. It takes a while for the programmers to fully utilize all that the console has to offer. Dreamcast has had over a year now, so it's games-programmers are becoming veterans with the system. So, if the graphics only 'looked no better' than your dreamcast, then wait a year. The PS2 graphics will blow Dreamcast away.
Well, I'm a Sega zealot, but I can't argue with your logic here. The obvious message you're giving is: buy a Dreamcast now, enjoy its superior gaming for a year, then when the PS2 catches up, buy one of those. It will be cheaper by then, too, and if we're lucky PS2's network functionality will have been rolled out.
I'll be buying a PS2; I can't pass by Silent Hill2, and I'll need Fantavision at some point: but it's just not mature enough yet.
By contrast, Dreamcast was streets ahead of anything (bar a PC) you could buy on its release date. I had Power Stone and Sonic Adventure on day one, both classic titles I still go back to. Soul Calibur came a few weeks later; there's nothing on PS2 that looks quite as lovely.
Um, is Metropolis Street Racer out in the USA yet? It's seriously nice, especially if you've ever been to San Fran, Tokyo or London.
--
I can't argue with that one bit.
I think that both the unimpressive logistics is what made for the impressive launch. Had the PS2 been more available, everyone would be sitting at home, happy with their new PS2, but instead we keep hearing about it since everyone doesn't have and still wants one.
I got my PS2 for gaming, not movies. (I've already got a nice normal DVD player with 16x9 mode.) I started up The Matrix, and noticed it wasn't in 16x9... I looked around in all the system menus. There's an option in the main system configuration screen that lets you select what aspect ratio you want... I set this to 16x9. Tried the DVD player again after this, still no good. Looked at the DVD's menu system, and found there's an option there too for the aspect ratio, but it's locked to the standard value, and you can't change it! :( It almost seems like this was a feature they were going to have, and then it was cut or pulled out, for some reason. :(
Oh well... Just need to hook up the player when I want to watch DVDs, I guess.
AR Schleicher (Jerrith)
ars@iag.net
jerrith@jerrith.com
It's certainly nice that it plays DVDs, and a lot of people who get it as a game console will probably use it as their DVD player too.
/. reader, to buy a PS2.
But wireless remotes are third-party, and it won't play VCDs, SVCDs and so forth, as any cheap DVD player will do for half the price. Indeed, it's one of very few DVD players that can't play VCDs. Heck, for the PS2's price of $300 USD, you can get a 5-disc DVD changer from a reputable brand and have enough money left over to buy a couple of DVDs.
So it's a pleasant enough feature, but it's hardly a reaason for anyone, much less a
Actually, I remember being firmly impressed with my Playstation 1 bought on launch day, with Wipeout and Ridge Racer. Coming from a SNES and a Genesis, it was pretty cool stuff. The other Namco titles, which made up the rest of the launch titles were pretty ropey - Cybersled was nasty.
Same with Mario and Goldeneye for the N64 - got mine after the price-drop though. There haven't been many kick-ass games since for the N64, mind. Maybe Zelda and a few others.
Odd trivia for you - according to Game Over, Sony developed a 'Playstation' to compete with the NES/SNES a few years before the PSX. The 'X' on the CD Playstation was to indicate this fact - eXtended. So the new machine is either the PSX2 or the PS3 - like Rambo movies.
"don't fall into the fallacy of believing that Perl can solve social problems. Maybe Perl 6 can, but that's a ways off"
Sony has a history of releasing mediocre launch titles, so I think the lack of superior games was expected. Most of the launch titles that I've seen (Madden, SSX, Dynasty Warriors II) are slightly better than the third generation Dreamcast games, which says quite a bit.
Most developers for the PS2 are admitting that the real strengths of the system have yet to be utilitized. As always, the games are going to get better and better as the console matures. If the current games are any indication of what's yet to come, watch out.
--mando
It does not do full 5.1 surround. in ourder to get get the full surround from DVD's played on the PS2 you need to hook it up to a Dolby Digital reicever with optical digital in, since the standard audio-out plugs don't support it.
My friend's comment upon seeing that was "Playstation 2! Eventually, it won't suck!"
--
Kevin Doherty
kdoherty+slashdot@jurai.net
Kevin Doherty
kdoherty+slashdot@jurai.net
that blows
What does being from Sony have to do with having DD5.1 and DTS? There is no special relationship between Sony and DTS. In truth, *ANY* dvd player with digital audio out (copper sp/dif or optical toslink) will do both DD5.1 and DTS because "bits is bits" and the actual DD5.1/DTS processing is being handled by the receiver, not the dvd player.
Actually this is not entirely true. While bits is bits, thos bits have flags with them that say what they represent on a DVD. Each audiotrack has flags that say what language they are and what coding they use (and possibly others). Early DVD players (like my DV505) will not pass audio marked with any other flags than those it is set to handle, which in my case is DD and PCM. Also if it should ever become an issue: modern DVD players will not pass tracks marked as SDDS tracks (Which is also an optional format approved for DVD, which icendentally is owned by sony)
B.T.W. dts isn't too smart to use as recent testing indicates that dts at half bitrate (700ish) suffers from more compressionartifacts than DD at 380 (Both in 5.1 channels encoded of cource). And yes half bitrate dts is what's commonly used as full bitrate takes too much bandwidth away from the picture, leaving a marred image on screen. Of cource even half bitrate dts can be expected to have unfortunate sideeffects on the image as availible peak bandwidth is reduced (DVD forum rules dictate that a DD or PCM track must be included).
The reason many claim to prefer dts is likely related to that until recently dts had strict control of the use of their encoders (i.e. only they encoded material). Investigations have shown that there were significat differences between the original master and the encoded audio that could not be explained by compression artifacts. In other words dts tinkered with the original director-approved audio before they encoded it. This can be used to good effect to fool people into thinking that what they are listening to is a superior format. The common tricks are to boost overall levels (an increase of signal level of as little as 0.5dB will be percieved as an 'improvement' but not as a level difference), boost surround levels (more 'impressive' effects, but can get tireing in the long run, and can just as easily be achieved by adjusting the decoder settings), and increasing bass output.
I don't like it. I don't want to pay what is probably 50% of the total system price when I have a perfectly fine $1100 DVD player sitting right next too it. It would be great it they would have made the DVD player an optional extra.
ALG
Sony is selling PS2 at a loss. So if you buy PS2 and use it as a DVD player (or buy just a couple of games), then you'll hurt Sony's bottom line instead of helping it.
If they want anyone to buy one they will have to drop the price to around $100 USD like they did with the original playstation or most people will refrain from buying one.
Respond to s
But yeah, the feature DTS passthrough in no way follows from the fact Sony makes it. In fact, Sony's SDDS competes with DTS in theaters directly.
-Dave
I have the Apex in question and I also have a PS2. Although I love the Apex for its quality and features, the PS2 is actually a better DVD player. My Apex plays all my DVD's just fine except it is kind of picky when I try to play rented DVD's. It usually skips and is just an all out pain, mostly because of the DVD being scratched or dirty. Since I've gotten the PS2 it has become my primary DVD player for the simple fact that it plays any DVD I throw at it flawlessly. It has many of the same features of the Apex minus the ability to play VCD and MP3. All the reason to still keep the Apex. Just thought I would throw out some of my first hand experience. It still does kind of bother me though when people assume that the PS2's DVD playback sucks. It may be a "toy" to some, but please don't bash it unless you have it or have tried it.
Does the PS2 support dolby 5.1ch surround sound. I was under the impression that it did not. Can someone fill me in if i'm mistaken.
I have a cheap DVD player, too (actually, the Panasonic 320 because it has internal DACs and I didn't know what receiver I'd end up with).
I have to agree that the PS2 is no great bargain as a standalone DVD player. But I'd sure like to feel Quake III through my home theater (not holding my breath) without having put a computer in my living room.
In other words, it could be considered a FREE DVD player, if you were going to buy it as a game controller.
And surely, as this thing matures, alternate IR controllers will also mature, making the remote issue irrelevant.
Oh, this may seem trivial, but in the audio realm, things are more favorable for the PS2 than the writer of the article knew. The fact that it does a digital feed means that the audio quality is entirely dependant on the audio system, not the PS2.
What the hell do they think thier selling, the next coming of Jesus? I mean come on! How dumb do they think the... oh... nevermind. FSKING megacorps :P
Every single video store I know of in the area surrounding me rents DVDs along with VHS tapes. All DVD rentals are the same price as the same title in VHS. It's really not a big deal to rent either. I do it all the time.
Exactly. I don't get where this elitist backlash comes from. Steve says, "when everyone has a DVD player, we won't feel special anymore." He's been reading too much Widescreen Review. Ask the betamax or laser disc aficionado whether he enjoys the exclusivity of his club.
After a crisis of conscience about the DeCSS suit, quickly followed by American consumerism and apathy, I bought a DVD player (a Sony, no less) for about $200. Maybe that makes me one of the unwashed. I want to see more DVDs at the video store. I want more titles on DVD. I want simultaneous release on VHS and DVD. I understand the purists concern that mass-market DVDs may make for cheap DVDs (poor video transfers, poor auding mixing, no extras, etc.). That doesn't mean they feel threatened by the PS2.
Right time to clear a few things up 1/ The Japanese PS2 uses software decoding of DVDs 2/ US and UK PS2 use hardware decoding The chip that is used for the decoding in the US and UK versions is the same chip that Wharfdale use in their 750 DVD player. I happen to have one of these and must say the quality is outstanding. The player itself is by far the best budget player there is on the market (in the UK at least). The quality of the video is just as good as a more expensive DVD player. Another great thing is that the chip also plays VCDs better than I've ever seen them played on any other type of system. I am therefore hoping that the quality of the PS2's decoding should therefore match or be very close to that of the player I have. Cheers, Alex
It's too bad my PS2 won't play any VCD's. I mean the DVD player is nifty and all, but still, my $129 pioneer DVD player is willing to play just about anything on plastic. Maybe Sony could put this in the first update.
Buying the Playstation 2 solely as a DVD player is not the way to go if you're looking for cheap. You can get a name brand, bare bones DVD player for far less than the price of a Playstation 2. Hell, they were selling Toshiba DVD players in the fscking Safeway the other day for $199 each! PS2-as-DVD-player is not cheap.
Free Hans!
While I agree it's not a high end DVD player, your "one simple reason" is totally wrong. Both Sony and multiple other companies make optional component video cables for the PS2. So, while it comes with a composite cable, for just a little bit more, you can get the component video cable you need to make it look better.
:)
When my PS2 arrived, before I went to hook it up, I went out and bought the component video cable. If you've got a TV than can handle it, it's the only way to go.
AR Schleicher (Jerrith)
ars@iag.net
jerrith@jerrith.com
Yes, there is elitism in every community. Many Slashdotters wouldn't be caught dead using AOL. Driving enthusiasts would rather walk than use an automatic transmission. And audiophiles scoff at the notion of using a video game console as a source for music.
I consider myself a budget audiophile. I have a stereo that I feel sounds better than any of my friends'. And yes, I sometimes get caught up in the hype of what looks coolest, etc. To use computers as an example, how many Slashdotters would use an iMac even if inside was an Athlon 800 MHz with 512 MB of RAM? Ok sure, you'd use it, but don't tell me looks don't matter.
Perhaps I should get to my point. The way I see it, there are a couple of extremes in the audio world. The first is one that wants a system that sounds great and looks even better. Truly great-sounding audio systems rarely blend in to the decor of one's living room. So sacrifices have to be made. The other extreme could care less what the system looks like, as long as it sounds next-to-perfect. The latter could be placed in the genre of "audio hackers." They'll put coverings on the walls to absorb sound (I'm guilty of that one), have bags of sand to absorb vibration, and will usually have somewhat of a frankenstein system of components that don't look like they match. You won't find any remote controlled sliding glass doors with those folks.
So which of these groups would be more likely to accept a PS2 into their audio setup? Well, neither one, probably. Both groups generally have the philosophy that you should do one thing and do it right. The first group I mentioned figuratively drives the Audi TT (drives great, looks stunning). The second group drives the pieced-together Grand National (looks ugly IMHO, but hauls ass for the dollars you spend). The group that would use the PS2 drives the Dodge Caravan (wants a cheap, all-in-one box).
Sorry, guess I went a little analogy crazy.
-- "Complacency is a far more dangerous attitude than outrage." -Naomi Littlebear
You have not heard about PS2.1? If I were you I would hold out on that DVD player! :P
Okay, it looks like they left their minds in the gutter. Doesn't this remotely remind you of the "tsunami drills" that they constantly have in Japan? Or the cubicle-sized hotel suites?
IMHO, Using a PS2 to play a DVD is like using an M249 heavy machinegun with a 500-bullet chain to mow down three targets. In one word: Overkill.
"Ancillary does not mean you get to rule the world." --U.S. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards, speaking to the FCC's lawyer
That said, if you want a game console AND a DVD player, the PS2 is certianly a great value. You get to play all your PS1 games (with lower load times) all new PS2 games plus DVDs. That's pretty hard to beat for a sinlge unit. However, just remember that if movies are your thing, not games, there are cheaper options.
I have actually held off from buying a DVD player because the PS2 can act as one. I am hoping the audio/video quality is as good as a dedicated DVD player. The inclusion of DTS cinema sound is a good indication. I am awaiting the 24th of November (European launch date) to get my hands on one. It has been pre-ordered since June! :)
200 + 200 = ?
Is that the sound of rapid backpedalling I hear?
- Toby
This is a great reason to buy a PS2. Being it is from Sony, it has both Dolby Digital 5.1 AND DTS support. IMHO, the DTS is the icing on the cake, as from personal experience, it seems that the stereo in the rear channels is clearer, and in better proportions then what the straight 5.1 can offer. Further, the moved the DVD player off of a seperate memory card, and built it into firmware. This was a biggy in Japan, with memory cards becoming corrupt as a result (something which has been fixed). If I had something bad to say, it would be the lack of an IR port on the unit. In my case, where I have a complete Sony setup, I have one remote that works all units. With the PS2, you have to use the joystick, or if you pay the extra money, a different remote that plugs into one of your joystick ports (something, as of right now, sounds buggy as the pass through isn't working as promised for some; so, in effect, you lose a joystick port). Sony would be wise to release an addon that allows my Sony remote to run the unit. Only thing I didn't like.
On a different note, I have finally had a chance to see a PS2 and its games (Madden, and 2 driving games that left no other lasting impression) and I was not impressed as it looked no better then my Dreamcast. Where are the software titles to really show off the unit?! Guess I will have to wait for Metal Gear Solid 2.
Bryan R.
Bryan R.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....
I've been burning MP3's since 97 or so. The MP3 CD support of the APEX made my day. Now I can start my player on friday night and leave the same CD in all weekend. Lots cheeper then a 100 disc changer. Plus now a N64 costs $99 dollars. So for the price of a PS2 I have a DVD player, a slightly dated console and a new game (the new Zelda!). Kick Ass games are better then better looking unfun games anyway.
Hollow words will burn and hollow men will burn.
I don't know what other people have experienced with the PS2 as a DVD player, but I have ben unimpressed. The PS2 system seems to have problems with several DVD's, mainly ones with special features, and also the navigation features are poorly designed, making it dificult to do things such as chapter switches and the like. As I said, I don't knwo what other people have experienced, but I would personally pay extra for a stand-alone DVD player rather than rely on a PS2
I've heard rumors that the PS2 is not just a DVD player, but a progressive scan DVD player. If that is the case, then this definitely might be worth the pickup if you've got a TV that supports 480p signals. Progressive scan players are very expensive right now.
Speaking of progressive scan, I've got a sony KV-36XBR400 that supports 480p. However, it is internally line doubled and DVD's just look incredibly awesome already on the set. When the line doubler is set to progressive output, this looks exactly like watching a film. (The set pretty much sucks at displaying teevee though). Has anyone done a comparison of the Sony line doubler with an interlaced DVD feed versus a direct progressive feed and noticed any difference?
There are a lot of _other_ ~$200 DVD players out there. The only differences between them and the PS2 is that they have wireless remotes and you can actually buy one at the moment.
Sure, they won't play games, but perceiving the PS2 as providing DVD players to the "great unwashed" is incorrect. The great unwashed can already buy cheap DVD players a whole lot easier than the PS2. (I know, because I have one.)
Insted of getting a PS/2, I bought a Dell 386DX/33 with 120Meg HD, 4MB ram, 512k SVGA card, monitor included. It was only $2199, and at the time, even the 'cheap' PS/2s were $3k. Then again, it was 1990 or 1991... I had a Nintendo for my Personal Gaming Needs...
Note: PS2 == IBM, PSX2 == Sony.
IMHO, both are overpriced.
except sony is the smarter ones. they created this artificial demand, convincing people that they 'need' the PSX2, they will be incomplete without it... Remember Fight Club Ikea? That's what I thought.
They think that the DVD functionality of the PS2 is the one brilliant move Sony made in this otherwise unimpressive launch.
Woah, wait a minute here. Did these guys miss the PS2 selling for $5,000 on E-Bay? Did anyone else see the video of the release in Japan? The stores were packed!
Considering all of the hype that surrounded it's release (both US and Japan), I would say it was actually a very impressive. Can anyone name any other console that received this much hype at it's launch?
Sony did it right and kept the same A/V port from the PSX to the PS2. You just need to change to "RGB" in the display options of the box, and you get a beautiful rock solid picture. Unless...
YOU STICK IN A DVD!
Then it switches to the lame-o "component" video which uses the same leads as the RGB does. However, since my monitor isn't expecting "component" I get a rather ugly green tinted version of the picture. Needless to say, I won't be using my PS2 to watch DVDs until someone hacks this "feature" out of it. I presume they have to go to "component" to offer me the lovely required Macrovision, a 25-year old copy protection that can be broken with a $20 box. Get real Sony and the MPAA. RGB limitations on DVDs do nothing but punish your customers.
Isn't that $1470? You could buy a PS2 and all the games (never mind all of them not being excellent) for that kind of money...
"But then I won't have a PC with Linux on it"
Well don't you get a PC at work?... Start using it!
OBS
I wish I could filter out the annoying Pickens articles...
The goal of any journalistic organization is to report the news that is of interest to its audience. I don't need Rob or any Slashdot poster forcing his opinions down my throat. If you want to protest the MPAA by not buying DVDs, that's fine. But a personal agenda shouldn't prevent the posting of a story that has to do with DVDs.
-- "Complacency is a far more dangerous attitude than outrage." -Naomi Littlebear
These things are sold at a loss and all profit comes from the games. If people buy the PS2 as a DVD player, Sony looses money. That's one of the reasons Microsoft is resisting adding DVD playback to the XBox.
- Russ
----
I talked my wife into one pretty easily, considering the price and the number of consoles we already have....
The main selling point was the DVD player. Hey, it kills 2 birds with one stone.
I don't mean to be sexist, it just seems that the "norm" is that men want to buy these gadgets, and their other halves want to know why...
----
What might be interesting to do is to see how many people actually _care_ about DVD functionality. Everyone I know that's interested in PS/2 (or console games at all, for that matter) doesn't give a raspberry fig newton about DVD playability, they just want to know about how it plays games. I don't have one and don't plan to get one, and from the reviews I've seen everywhere, I think I'm making the right choice in waiting for an XBox/Indrema/NCube. Maybe run a poll about what the actual buyer's motivations are in buying a PS/2, I don't think many will care about DVD.
Dreamcast: $150
Good DVD player: less than $200
How is the PS2 a bargain?
I'm sure there will be people who buy the PS2 because it has DVD playback, but you really should be buying the game system you like for it's games.
Together my DC and Toshiba 1200 cost me $350 (and this was a while ago!), and my DC has a way better game library.
I feel sorry for all the fools stuck with stupid ass Tekken Tag.
Just take my word that I'm funny
They have a DVD player for $100 on circuitcity.com.
Why try to watch "Matrix" with that controller??? I purchased a "real" remote when I got my PS2. It was only $20... http://www.gamefusion.com/game-fusion-network/gf-n ews-2/gf-news-2-archive/june-2000/1.shtm l
-- A hundred thousand lemmings can't be wrong!
The DVD only bits and bytes, since the general society tries to port EVERYTHING to computers. PC-owners can play DVD's on their PCs. Why not Playstation 2 ? ;-)
I do not want an ugly PC in my living room.
I want a slim PlayStation 2, as it looks much better than those BIG PC's :)) Maybe hardware people can learn from the buyers choice.
-- "Hey Bob, come look! I've never seen a penguin so small!"
Hey dickhead, I paid and extra 100 dollars to get it first. Why the FUCK do you think I got 650 for it on e-bay when you can go out and buy it. Because I had one before ANYONE else.
You'd be funny if you weren't such a Moron.
Note to moderators : horrible, not socially acceptable, probably should moderate this down. Couldn't resist though. Sometimes you have can't let the little bastards get you down.
"Science is about ego as much as it is about discovery and truth " - I said it, so sue me.
The goal of any journalistic organization is to report the news that is of interest to its audience.
I so TOTALLY agree!
From the story: "the ps2 is a cheap full featured DVD" player
The problem is that they are NOT reporting the news that is of interest to the audience. The two most important features of any DVD player are that it:
1) Doesn't support an assault on the U.S. Constitution.
2) Doesn't restrict how we play DVD's in any way.
The Sony PS2 does not have either of these features, therefore it is very far from a "full-featured DVD player", like those available here.
It's not groupthink. It's FACTTHINK.
--
What happens when you outlaw guns
I thought IBM retired the PS2 line. So did someone develop a microchannel controller for the DVD player? I've got an old model 70 that could use it. Heh, couldn't resist.
Who wants a DVD player that's limited to only one region code? Obviously, anyone who buys a PS2 for its DVD "feature" is misguided.
Are you high?
I'm looking at component video cables for the PS2 on Amazon.com.
Here's the link: Component Cables
I repeat, are you high?
I have a PS2. I don't have a stand alone DVD.
I just rented Matrix on DVD from Blockbuster.
I like DVD better than my VHS.
I will keep using my PS2 as a DVD player.
See the point of having DVD now?
Sure the masses CAN buy a cheap DVD they question is "Have they?" is the answer now is "Yes."
Just wait till some crappy band steals your nic.
The Saitek is a manufacturing defect. As of 10/30/2000 I was told that they were working on a fix, and would have a working one out for replacement in 4 weeks. The buttoms that are mislabled are Stop (which acts like the confirm button) and Confirm (which acts like the stop button). You need to press the buttons longer than usual to send the command to the PS2, other than that, a good remote.
The first VCRs had corded remotes...
,PS2 was an IBM Computer back in the day with a wierd kinda slots, but I digress...
And they were mono, had 3 speeds which no-one could figure out.
You could tune a maximum of 12 channels, which you had to turn one of 12 little nobs to adjust the tuning on each one.
And WE LIKED IT, becuase we could record, unlike these namby -pamby PS2.
heck
Also, here's a DVD advertisement circumvention procedure: Play, Stop, Play, 01 [enter]. I guarantee that this procedure does not fall under the DMCA, even though it does circumvent the stupid ad screens.
"Ancillary does not mean you get to rule the world." --U.S. Circuit Judge Harry Edwards, speaking to the FCC's lawyer
I guess your right......it provided me with a great dvd player.
"Science is about ego as much as it is about discovery and truth " - I said it, so sue me.
There at least 2 (maybe more) IR Remotes on the market that plug into the PS2's controller port and allow you to run the DVD functions with a nice little remote like you'd expect. They are both third-party products
- Saitek - Allows you to connect both controllers at once (has a pass-thru) but I've been told the IR control is weak and a couple of buttons are mis-labeled
- InterAct - Work's great but uses up one controller port (you'll need to yank it out every time you player 2P+ games) as well as blocks USB and iLink ports
If anyone knows of others let me know, I'm searching for that perfect one (Maybe sony will put one out?) I was kind of hoping my nice collection of 5 sony remotes would already do something with the damn thing (they control every other damn electronic thing in my place